Petition writer Kassie Thibodeaux wrote that the Louisiana-raised pop-star from Kentwood is "an inspiration to millions."

The petition, which as of mid-day Tuesday (Aug. 22) had just cracked the 500 mark on signees, offers a brief moment of laughter in an otherwise fraught battle between those who would leave in place all remaining signs of the Confederacy in New Orleans and those who are calling for more statues and symbols to be brought down.

Landrieu's office announced in May plans to replace the statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee with a "water feature," and to install an American flag at the site of the Jefferson Davis monument.

The Spears petition is also reflective of another such request in Portsmouth, Va., which has so far garnered more than 27,00 signatures in the hopes of replacing that town's Confederate monument with a statue of Missy Elliott. The city is the hip-hop star's hometown, according to The Washington Post.

Thibodeaux's petition is directed toward Gov. John Bel Edwards and other state lawmakers. Petition signees have left comments lauding Spears, who is set to wrap up a Las Vegas residency at the New Year.

"She's the hero we all deserve and the icon America needs," wrote Rachel Gilbert from Edinboro, Penn. "I am not being ironic in saying this, I truly believe it. I love this woman."